Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical – Secret Cinema

A breathtaking summer night

For myself, and anyone who attended this production last year, I would say that a little of the initial wow factor has gone. That said, there is no better way to spend a summer night than walking straight into the world of Grease.
As soon as you enter the outdoor part of the venue, your eyes dart around the fairground. There is a Ferris wheel, a spinning swing carousel and then, as you look further, you notice the Shake Shack and other recognisable locations from ‘We Go Together’. Arrive in plenty of time because there is lots to explore, including hook-a-duck, a donkey derby, a gift shop for all your Pink Lady needs, food and drink vendors and, if you are with O2 Priority, a free gift bag.

As the show begins, there is an announcement from the principal and all eyes turn towards the giant outdoor screen. Following this introduction and the notification that phones must be put away, the doors to the main venue swing open and everyone floods inside.
If this is your first time here, it will take your breath away. Inside, there is a diner, bleachers, picnic-style outdoor dining tables, a car in the auto shop and several cars parked as though they are at the drive-in. You can also purchase seated tickets for these areas. The main focal point, however, is the gymnasium floor in the centre of the venue.
Tom Rogers’ impressive design makes the venue feel like a fully realised world rather than simply a backdrop. Every area contains something to discover, while director Matt Costain ensures that the action moves smoothly between the different locations.

As the title suggests, this is an immersive performance, but the degree to which you immerse yourself is entirely up to you. I was on my feet at the beginning, singing the school song with the choir. Later, I had a dance and waved pom-poms for Teen Angel. Others joined a sleepover or took part in cheerleading and sporting activities.

Between the main performance moments, the cast talk to audience members in character and enjoy some ad-libbed interactions as they move through the crowd to reach their next location. These little encounters help to make the world feel alive, even when the main action is taking place elsewhere.
If you would prefer to sit down, I would recommend the Frosty Palace diner side. At the time of writing, the seating plan shown when booking tickets appears to be incorrect. Frosty Palace runs along one of the longer sides, whereas the drive-in is positioned at the shorter end of the venue. This is roughly the same arrangement as last year, although more seats appear to have been added to the diner.

This is my number-one activity to do this summer. It really is something very special. If you love Grease, it would make a fun date, a fabulous day out or even a brilliantly themed hen party. There are plenty of excuses to experience it.
I call it an activity because I am still unsure how best to categorise it. The performers are certainly very talented and sing all the musical numbers live, although there were times when I found myself questioning whether some of the dialogue was spoken live or came from the film.
Screens positioned around the main venue show the original movie while the live cast perform alongside it. There are moments, between the excellent choreography, when you find yourself watching the screens and almost have to remind yourself to focus on the performers in front of you.

At certain points, live footage of the performers is also shown on some of the screens with a dramatic filter applied. This is particularly effective during ‘Thunder Road’ and made me question whether the original film footage was needed at all, or whether more use could have been made of the live video.

Jennifer Weber’s choreography is terrific, with some updated moments rather than remaining completely faithful to the original. ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ is particularly effective, with cast members positioned around the entire venue and bringing the performance to life from every direction. It is a lesson I hope is taken forward if Grease returns to the West End.
The production uses every part of the venue: the central performance space and all the surrounding locations mentioned earlier. As the story moves from one scene to another, you have to spot where the next section is taking place. This creates a sense of freedom and discovery that you simply do not get in a traditional theatre.
That freedom also means it is easy to wander away and explore. Outside the main venue, there is more to see and do, including a Beauty School set-up from Benefit, with a few giveaways.

However, I did feel that there may have been a few cuts to the production, as Frenchie and Rizzo did not appear to have as much to perform as I remembered. I also think the gang’s diner scene was cut, with the action moving straight to Teen Angel.

On the night I attended, Teen Angel was played by Ricky Wilson. I am not sure the audience recognised him, and I only discovered who he was after looking it up, as the programme listed David Fearn in the role. Fearn also plays Johnny Casino and has so much personality in that part that I think he would have made a fantastic Teen Angel. I believe he performed the role last year.
I can see the vision of casting a celebrity in the role, as the film did, but I think it needs to be someone the audience will recognise immediately for the moment to land in the way intended. Even so, the return of many cast members from last year is a real testament to the production and the special experience it creates.

I will not spoil the ending, but it is perhaps the most magical moment of the entire night. After the show, you can explore the fairground area once more before making your way home.

A wonderful evening for all and, for fans of Grease, an experience that is truly the one that they want.

*****

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett